Ditcher and grader.



G. W. JOEY.

DITGHER AND GRADER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 27. 1911.

1,028,734. Patented June 4, 1912.

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Q Q} I M y Y & George Wcfary, mwwbo'a COLUMBIA iLANOclRAPH 420.,WASHINGTON, D. c.

' G. W. J 0RY.' I DITGHER AND GRADER.

urmcnx'on nmin M41 27. 1911.

Y Patented June 4,1912.

G. W. J DRY. DITOHER AND GRADEIL. APPLIOAITION FILED MAY 27. 1911.

Patented June 4, 1912.

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mm a mw N w Q R COLUMBIA PLANcdRAPH c0.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

G. W. JURY. DITGHER AND GRADER. APPLICATION FILED MAY 27. 1911.

Patented June 4,1912.

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hurrah STATES; PATENT orrion.

GEORGE WASHINGTON JOEY, 0F MARYSVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

DITCI-IER AND GRADER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. JoRY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Marysville, in the county of Yuba and State of California,have invented a new and useful Ditcher and Grader, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention has reference to improvements in machines for ditchingand grading and its object is to provide a light draft machine which byits progressive movement along the surface of the ground may be causedto either produce a ditch in the ground, or remove a small depth ofearth for grading purposes, the removed earth in either case beingdeposited in a circular series of buckets carried by a circular spidermounted on the machine to rotate on an axis set at an angle whereby oneedge of the bucket or spider is brought into contact with the ground,while the opposite edge is elevated, and means are provided for openingand closing the buckets when the desired elevation is reached.

In accordance with the present invention provision is made forregulating the pressure of the edge of the bucket brought intoengagement with the ground, whereby the rotative impulse may always bemaintained irrespective of the character or condition of the ground.Furthermore, provision is made for elevating and lowering the body. ofthe machine as a whole and, also, for; reversing the direction of travelofthe ma-- chine, the last feature being particularly useful where thedeposited dirt must always be on a certain side of the line of travelirrespective of the direction of travel.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of thefollowing detailed de scription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with theunderstandlng,

however, that while the drawings illustrate Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed May 27, 1911.

Patented June 4, 1912.

Serial No. 629,822.

tical section through the elevating means for the supporting wheel atthe dumping side of the machine,-looking toward said wheel. Fig. 6 is asection on the line 66 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 ofFig. 2 drawn to a larger scale, and illustrating certain operativepositions of the parts in dotted lines. Fig. 8 is a plan view of thestructure shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2but with the bottom of the bucket shown as in the open position. Fig. 10is a section on the line 10-1O of Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is a section on theline 11 .11 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an end frame 1 ofapproximately triangular shape with the apex of the triangle cut off,and this frame may be formed of structural steel, preferably of I-beams.In the particu connecting member 5 at the approaching ends of the sidemembers, the said side members 3, 4 being bent to accommodate certainportions of the structure to be hereinafter described.

At an intermediate portion of the reach member 2 there is a clipstructure comprising two plates 6, 6 connected together by bolts 7 onopposite sides of the reach 2 in a manner to clamp the plates 6 firmlyto the reach. One of the plates 6 is provided with a pair of ears 8 andbetween these ears there is pivoted a block 9 by means of a pivot pin orbolt 10, so that this block may rock on an axis longitudinally of thereach 2. The block 9 is formed with bearings for a bar 11 which, whenthe machine is in operation, is substantially parallel with the groundupon which the machine rests. At one end the bar 11 is bent atsubstantially right angles forming an extension 12 and at the other endis bent at an angle forming an angle spindle 13, the angle of thespindle 13 with relation to the bar 11 being greater than a right angle.

Between the block 9 and the right angle extension 12 the bar 11 isextended, as shown at 14, to constitute a bearing for a shaft 15carrying above the bearing 14: a worm gear wheel 16. The shaft 14 is atthe end remote from the worm gear 16 reduced and passed through a plate17, and at the other side of the plate 17 may be headed, as shown. at18, so that while the shaft 15 is free to rotate in its bearings 14 and17, the headed end 18 will prevent longitudinal movement of this shaftin its bearings. Between the bearings 14 and 17 the shaft 15 isscrew-threaded for a purpose which will presently appear.

Mounted on the threaded portion ofthe shaft 15 is a yoke 19appropriately threaded where traversed by the shaft, this point beingnear the connecting member of the yoke 19 and between the free ends ofthe legs of the yoke there is lodged a block 20 traversed by the angleextension 12 of the bar 11. To this block 20 there is secured the connected end of a yoke 21, the legs of which are sufficiently elongated toreceive between them a caster wheel 22 having a spindle 23 carried bythe free ends of the legs of the yoke 21.

The plate 17 has connected to opposite sides of it brace rods 24extending to eye brackets 25 made fast to the end portions of the reach2, these brace rods resisting any tendency of the clips 7 moving in thedirection of the length of the reach 2.

When the shaft 15 is rotated, the yoke 19 is raised or lowered withreference to the position of the machine in operation, and the relationof the caster wheel 22 with reference to the reach 2 is variedaccordingly, and any rotative movement of the shaft 15 will result inraising or lowering the reach 2 with relation to the ground, so that theportion of the frame 1 constituted by the reach 2 may be raised orlowered as desired. For this purpose there is provided a shaft 26carrying a worm 27 in mesh with the worm wheel 16 and provided with anappropriate bearing 28 at one end, which hearing may be carried by theblock 9. At the other end the shaft 26 passes through a bearing 28formed in a bracket 29, and beyond this bracket said shaft is providedwith a crank member 30 within ready reach of an operator, whereby thereach portion of the frame may be readily raised or lowered at will. Thebracket 29 is made fast to the reach 2 at one end of the latter, and inthe particular showing of the drawings at the end to which is joined theside member 4. At the other end of the reach 2 there is another bracketmember 31, the brackets 29 29 and 31, serve to support the upper end ofthe spindle 13, the lower end of this spindle being supported by theblock 9 and parts carrying it.

Applied to the spindle 13 is an elongatedsleeve 35 formed at the endswith respective heads 36 and 37. The upper end of the sleeve abutsagainst a washer 38, which in turn abuts against a collar 39, and thelatter engages the collar 33, and as the spindle 13 does not rotate, thecollars 33 and 39 may be made fast to this spindle in any appropriatemanner, or the collar 33 alone may be made fast to the spindle. Thelower end of the sleeve 35 rests upon a set collar 40, and in spacedrelation to this set collar is another set collar 41, between whichthere is lodged a collar 42, which in turn may be made fast to thespindle, and this collar 42 is formed on one end of a rod 43, the latterbeing for a purpose which will presently appear. 7 7

Fast to the sleeve 35 adjacent the collar 36 is a circular series ofradial arms 44, preferably each a metal plate of appropriate length,width and thickness, set on edge and forming a spider dished withrelation to the collar, the outer ends of the arms 44 being in a planespaced some little distance from the head 36 of the sleeve 35 in thedirection of the axis of the spindle 13. At the outer ends the arms 44are extended in width, as indicated at'45,'to constitute the divisionmembers of boxes or receptacles to which reference will hereinafter bemade.

Each arm 44 near its outer or free end has attached thereto a brace rod46 carried to the head 37 and connected to the latter, so that thespider is of truss formation of requisite strength, and yet withoutundue weight. The arms 44 carry at their outer ends a rim 47 which maybe in the form of a continuous circular band constituting the outersides of the boxes or recpetacles before referred to. Extending betweenthe arms 44 and in spaced relation to the rim 47 toward the spindle 13are plates 48 constituting the inner members of the boxes or receptaclesreferred to, and these inner members or sides 48 are straightened andtogether define a polygonal figure, although this particular arrangementis not mandatory. The spider, therefore, comprises radial arms 44, anouter circular member 47,

and the inner members 48 in spaced reladiate of the length of theseplates, so that the plates may be tipped on their pivots in a manner tocause one end of the plate to drop away from the confines of the box andthe other end to move into the box, this position being well shown inFig. 9. The spider, therefore, is provided with continuous peripheralseries of boxes or receptacles made up of the rim 47 as an outer member,a plate 48 as an inner member, and two adjacent arms 44 as the sidemembers, each arm 44 at its expanded end 45 constituting the side memberof two adjacent boxes or receptacles.

Each plate 48 is formed, or has attached thereto intermediately twospaced lugs 51 of inclined or taper form having their adjacent edgesabrupt, but in spaced relation. Each bottom member 50 adjacent its pivotor trunnion 49 on the side toward the plate 48 carries a finger 52 ofsufficient length to enter between the lugs 51 and eX- tend above theplate 48- where the finger is brought to a pointed end, as indicated at53. hen the finger 52 is lodged between the lugs 51, it holds the plate50 in the closed position, but this finger is sufficiently elastic tobend toward the rim 47 under a suitable force to be thereby carried outof engagement with the lugs 51, and then the bottom 50 may be swung onits trunnions 49 to a tilted position, indicated in dotted lines in Fig.7. This is brought about by means of a roller 54 near one end of an arm55, said arm having an extended portion 56 beyond the roller 54. Thisarm is carried by the collar 38 on the spindle 13, and is of a lengthand so situated as to override the upper edges of the plates 48 withoutinterference from the brace rods 46. Connected to the arm near itssupported end is a rod 57 carried by a hand lever 58 provided with apawl and ratchet controlling mechanism 59 of common form, and thislatter is fast to the extended upper end 60 of a post 61 made fast tothe member 5 of the main frame 1 about intermediate of the length ofsaid member 5. The extended end 60 is approximately horizontal when themachine is in operation, and provides a convenient support for a seat 61for an operator, so that the hand lever 58 may be manipulated at willwithout the necessity of the operator leaving the seat 61.

The roller 54 is so situated as to be in the path of the free ends ofthe spring fingers 52 in such manner that when engaging these springfingers, the latter are bent toward the rim 47 until free from the lugs51, when the free end of the latch finger 52 being operated is engagedby the extended end 56 of the arm 55 and the bottom plat-e 50 of thereceptacle under consideration is rocked on its trunnions 49 untilultimately the end 53 of the latch 52 underrides the extension 56 andescapes therefrom, but this does not occur until the bottom'member 5 hasfirst been rocked to a sufficient extent to cause the gravitation of thecontents of the receptacle from such inclined bottom member.

As will hereinafter appear, the circular series of receptacles and thespiders supporting them are caused to rotate as the machine progressesalong the ground, and ultimately the tilted bottom 50 underconsideration reaches a curved strip 62 on the end of the arm 43 remotefrom the eye 42, this arm 43 being of sufficient length for the purpose,and being located in underriding relation tothe elevated side of thetipped spider. Beyond the curved member '62 the arm carries a roller 63on one end of a pivoted bracket 64, so that the open bottom member 50 isfirst engaged by the curved strip 62 which tends to move it toward theclosed position and is ultimately engaged by the roller 63 withsufficient force to cause the spring fingers 52 to yield to the beveledlug 51 in its path and ultimately snap in the space between such lug andthe adjacent lug 51, thereby again locking the bottom member 50 in theclosed position. The bracket 64 is pivoted to the arm or rod 43, so asto be in trailing relation to an oncoming bottom member 50 and thecurved strip 62 is carried to both sides of the rod or arm 43. Thisprovides for the reversal of the machine and the proper closing of thebottom members 50 irrespective of the direction of rotation of thespider carrying them. v

The arm 55 may be swung through a considerable are by the hand lever 58,so that the bottom members 50 may be unlatched at different positionsand the dumping of material may occur at different points in therotation of the spider, the range usually employed approaching ninetydegrees. For the reversal of the machine the arm 55 is readilydisconnected from the rod 57 and may be swung to the other side of acenter line perpendicular to the line of travel to be again connected'tothe lever 58 by the rod 57, whereby the opposite rotation of the spiderdue to the travel of the machine in the other direction from that firstconsidered will cause the proper dumping of the buckets in any desiredrelation to the rotative movement of the series of buckets.

The position of the spindle 13 as to its angular relation to thevertical is such that the lower portion of the spider is brought intoengagement with the ground, and this causes the rotative movement of thespider and of the series of buckets or receptacles carrie'd thereby bythe progressive movement of the machine over the ground, and in orderthat the frictional engagement may be ample for the purpose irrespectiveof the character or condition of the ground over which the machine istraveling, the collar 39 has fast thereto a bar 65 extending beyond thepost or standard 61 and there provided with a manipulating handle 66.The post 61 has one edge formed with a series of teeth 67 and the bar 65has a tooth 68 formed thereon, whereby the bar may be engaged in any oneof the teeth 67 to thereby tilt the spindle 13 on the pivot support 10of the block 9 and by this means the frictional engagement of thecircular series of buckets and the spider supported thereby may be madeas great as the conditions necessitate.

The members 3 and 4 of the main frame have guides 69 attached thereto atappropriate points, and in these guides slide angle members 70, beingadjusted in asubstantially vertical direction by means of angle latchlevers 71 pivoted to the angle members which at their upper ends areformed with rack segments 72 and have their angle ends connected bylinks 73 to the respective frame members 3 and 4. The lower ends of theangle members 70 carry a guide plate 74 closely adjacent to thatportion'of the spider which engages the ground and generally inconcentric relation to such portion of the spider member, although thelower edge of this guide member where engaging the ground flares awayfrom the spider member.

To the beam 5 of the mainframe 1 about midway of its length there ismade fast a yoke 7 5 and between the legs of this yoke there is pivoteda block 76 by means of a bolt 77, and this block has an angle extension7 8 receiving a shank member 79 carrying a disk plow 80 held to theshank member and the latter to the angle extension 78 by a bolt 81. Thedisk plow is held in proper position by means of a link '82 connected atone end to the block 76, and at the other end to one of two eyes 83 onopposite sides of the yoke 7 5.- This permits the plow 80 to be properlypositioned for either direction of travel of the machine. The disk plow80 is to be taken as simply typical of any suitable dirt engagingdevice, whether of disk plow type or some other plow type, or simply asa scraper, the function of the device being to direct dirt toward andinto the receptacle carried by the spider, while the plate 74 is in thenature of a share which assists the plow in directing the dirt to thereceptacles and prevents any loose dirt from escaping between the plowand the receptacles.

Adjacent the guides 69 and between the same and the reach 2, the members3 and 4 carry respective brackets 84 made fast' thereto in line one withthe other in the direction of travel and about in line with the bucketswhere engaging the ground. Fast to each bracket 84 is a connectingmember 85 made fast to the bracket 84 by bolts 86 or otherwise, and theends of these connecting mem bers 85 remote from the respective brackets84 are each formed with an eye 87 for the reception of a pole 88 towhich may be attached draft devices 89 of any suitable type. The pole isdesigned to lie against the corresponding end of the connecting member85 after being passed through the eye 87 and secured thereto by a bolt90, so that the pole may be readily detached from one connecting member85 and attached to the other as desired. The connecting member 85 isprovided with spaced ears 91 forming bearings for a rock shaft 92extending to one side of the connecting member and there bent into anangle portion 93 terminating in a spindle extension 94 carrying asupporting wheel 95. lever 96 and the connecting member 85 has fastthereto a rack segment 97 whereby the shaft 92 may be rocked in itsbearings and locked in different positions of adjustment. Both members85 are provided with adjustable wheels 95 and these wheels together withthe adjustable wheel or roller 22 support the entire machine. Theadjustability of these wheels with relation to the main frame permit theproper positioning of the The shaft 93 has fast thereto a hand entiremachine with reference to the ground.

the series of buckets, the rim 47 may have suitable means thereon wheretouching the ground to cause it to engage the ground after the manner ofa traction wheel, which latter is commonly provided with lugs or spursfor the purpose.

What is claimed is 7 1. In an excavating machine, an inclined rotatableseries of dirt receiving buckets or receptacles with one edge inposition to en gage the ground, a plow in operative relation to theseries of buckets where engaging the ground, and a deflector plate orshare between the plow and that portion of the series of bucketsengaging the ground.

2. In an excavating machine, an inclined rotatable series of dirtreceiving buckets or receptacles, with one edge in position to engagethe ground, a plow mechanism in operative relation to the series ofbuckets where engaging the ground, and a deflector plate or sharebetween the plow and that portion of the series of buckets engaging theground, said deflector plate being curved in opposite directions from acentral point to be active in opposite directions of travel of themachine.

3. In an excavating machine, an inclined rotatable series of dirtreceiving buckets or receptacles with one edge in position to engage theground, a plow mechanism in operative relation to the series of bucketswhere engaging the ground, and a deflector plate or share between theplow and that portion of the series of buckets engaging the ground, saiddeflector plate having adjustable supports whereby the plate may beadjusted in directions toward and from the ground.

4c. In an excavating machine, a suitable frame, adjustable wheelsupports therefor whereby the distance of the frame from the ground maybe varied, an inclined rotatable circular series of buckets orreceptacles for dirt having one edge in engaging relation to the ground,and means for varying the inclination of the axis of rotation of thecircular series of buckets.

5. In an excavating machine, a suitable frame, supporting wheelstherefor having adjustable connections with the frame for varying thedistance of the latter from the ground, an inclined circular rotatableseries of buckets or receptacles at one point adapted to engage theground, a plow mechanism carried by the frame, means for adjusting theinclination of the circular series of buckets, and a deflector plate orshare carried by the frame and adjustable thereon toward and from theground.

6. In an excavating machine, a suitable frame provided at oppositepoints with brackets and coupling members fast thereto, said couplingmembers having means for the attachment thereto of draft appliances,

and supporting wheels, one carried by each coupling member and providedwith means for the adjustment of the wheel to determine the distance ofthe frame from the ground.

7. In an excavating machine, a suitable frame, oppositely disposedbrackets connected to the frame, coupling members one fast to eachbracket and provided with means for the attachment thereto of draftappliances, a rock shaft journaled on the coupling member and providedwith an angle extension, a wheel mounted on said angle extension, a handlever connected to the rock shaft, and a rack segment connected to thecoupling member whereby the rock shaft may be adjusted to determine therelation of the wheel to the frame for regulating the elevation of theframe with reference to the ground.

8. In an. excavating machine, a suitable frame, oppositely disposedbrackets connected to the frame, coupling members one fast to eachbracket and provided with means for the attachment thereto of draftappliances, a rock shaft journaled on the coupling member and providedwith an angle extension, a wheel mounted on said angle extension, a handlever connected to the rock shaft, and a rack segment connected to thecoupling member whereby the rock shaft may be adjusted to determine therelation of the wheel to the frame for regulating the elevation of theframe with reference to the ground, said frame also carrying a thirdsupporting wheel intermediate of the first named wheels and to one sideof the line of draft, said third supporting wheel having means foradjusting its relation to the frame to determine the height of theportion of the frame supported thereby with relation to the ground.

9. In an excavating machine, a suitable frame, oppositely disposedbrackets connected to the frame, coupling members one fast to eachbracket and provided with means for the attachment thereto of draftappliances, a rock shaft journaled on the coupling member and providedwith an angle extension, a wheel mounted on said angle. extension, ahand lever connected to the rock shaft, and a rack segment connected tothe coupling member whereby the rock shaft may be adjusted to determinethe relation of the wheel to the frame for regulating the elevation ofthe frame with reference to the ground, said frame also carrying a thirdsupporting wheel intermediate of the first named wheels and to one sideof the line of draft, said third supporting wheel having means foradjusting its relation to the frame to determine the height of theportion of the frame supported thereby with relation to the ground, saidthird supporting wheel having its mounting pivoted to the frame forcausing the wheel to assume trailing relation to the line of draft inaccordance with the direction of movement of the machine as a whole.

10. In an excavating machine, a suitable frame, an inclined rotatableseries of material receiving buckets mounted on the frame, a support-ingwheel adjacent the axis of rotation of the buckets, and means foradjusting the relation of the wheel to the frame to determine the heightof the latter with reference to the ground.

11. In an excavating machine, a suitable frame, an inclined rotatableseries of material receiving buckets mounted on the frame, a supportingwheel adjacent the axis of rotation of the buckets, and means foradjusting the relation of the wheel to the frame to determine the heightof the latter with reference to the ground, said adjusting meanscomprising a worm gear having an operating shaf extending beyond oneedge of the rotatcb e series of buckets and there accessible formanipulation, said worm gear having a threaded shaft, a threaded bracketcarried by said shaft, and a caster bearing for the supporting wheelcarried by said bracket.

12. In an excavating machine, a rotatable member having a circularperipheral series of buckets or receptacles, an inclined spindlesupporting the rotatable member at an inclination, said spindle havingan angle continuation directed toward the ground, a caster wheel havinga journal bearing mounted on the angle continuation of the spindle formovement thereabout and therealong, and gearing connections for causingthe elevation and lowering of the caster support for the wheel along theangle extension of the spindle.

13. In an excavating machine, a rotatable member having a circularperipheral series of buckets or receptacles, an inclined spindlesupporting the rotatable member at an inclination, said spindle havingan angle continuation directed toward the ground, a caster wheel havinga journal member mounted on the angle continuation of the spindle formovement thereabout and therealong, and gearing connections for causingthe elevation and lowering of the caster support for the wheel along theangle extension of the spindle, said gearing connections comprising athird shaft engaging the caster connections, and worm gearingcontrolling said shaft and having a manipulating portion extendingbeyond the margin of the rotatable member and there accessible formanipulation.

14. In an excavating machine, a rotatable circular series of buckets orreceptacles, a supporting spider therefor having a central sleeve, aninclined spindle for the sleeve and having an angle extension, arockable'bearing for the spindle, a caster wheel mounted on the angleextension of the spindle and slidable therealong, an adjusting mechanismfor the caster bearing for moving it along the angle extension of thespindle and holding it in adjusted positions, and means for rocking thespindle on its bearing to different positions of adjustment.

15. In an excavating machine, a rotatable circular series of buckets orreceptacles, means for causing the opening of the receptacles fordumping purposes, means for causing the subsequent closing of thereceptacles, and means for adjusting the time of action of the openingmechanism with-relation to the point of filling the buckets.

16. In an excavating machine, an inclined rotatable series of materialconveying buckets or receptacles each provided with a tiltable bottommember, and a latch member fast thereto, and means for causing theunlatching of the bottom member comprising an arm having a rollerthereon for engagement with the latch member to move the latter to theunlatched position, said arm having an extension in the path of thelatch mechanism when in the unlatched position for causing the tiltingof the bottom member.

17. In an excavating machine, a circular rotatable series of buckets orreceptacles each provided with a bottom member intermediately pivotedand having an elastic latch arm projecting therefrom, each bucket orreceptacle also being provided with holding means for the latch member,and means for unlatching and tilting the bottom member comprising an armwith a roller adj acent to and spaced from the end of the arm, saidroller being in the path of the latch member to bend the same out ofengagement with the holding means and the projecting end of the armsubsequently engaging the latch member to tilt the bottom of the bucket.

18. In an excavating machine, a circular rotatable series of buckets orreceptacles each provided with an intermediately pivoted bottom memberhaving an elastic latch member projecting therefrom, each bucket beingalso provided with looking lugs for the latch member, a relatively fixedarm in the path of the latch members and having a roller thereon spacedfrom the end of the arm to first engage the latch member and bend it tothe unlatched position with the projecting end of the arm engaging thelatch member to tilt the bottom of the receptacle, and adjusting meansfor the arm for varying the point of engagement of the arm with thelatch members.

19. In an excavating machine, a rotatabl series of buckets orreceptacles each provided with a dumping bottom, latch means for holdingthe bottom in the closed position, closing means for the bottom ofthebuckets, and means movable to either side of the closing means forcausing the opening of the bottoms of the buckets to dumping positionprior to reaching the closing mechanism irrespective of the direction oftravel of the machine.

20. In an excavating machine, a circular rotatable series of buckets orreceptacles each provided with an intermediately pivoted tiltable bottommember, and means for causing the closing of the bottom member afterhavingbeen moved to the open position, comprising an arm carrying acurved strip and a trailing roller. in position to cause the strip tofirst engagethe bottom member to move the same into engagement with theroller for the latter to complete the closing movement. r

21. In an excavating machine, a circular rotatable series of materialreceiving buckets,

each bucket having a dumping bottom provided with a latch mechanism forholding it in the closed position, an actuating mechanism for the latchfor unlatching the bottom of the bucket and moving it to the openposition, said operating mechanism being movable to either side of acentral point, and a closing means on the bottoms'of the buckets actingsubsequently to the opening means and adjustable to cause the closing ofthe bucket bottoms in any desired time relation to the opening thereof.

22. In an excavating machine, a rotatable circular series of bucketscomprising a cen tral sleeve, radial members in dished relation to thecentral sleeve and each terminating in an axially widened portion, amarginal strip connecting the ends of the radial members and forming theouter sides of the buckets, intermediate strips at the inner edges ofthe widened portions of the radial members and constituting the innersides of the buckets, and t-iltable bottom members for Ehe bucketslocated between the radial memers.

23. In an excavating machine, a rotatable circular series of bucketscomprising a central sleeve, radial members in dished relation to thecentral sleeve and each terminating in an axially widened portion, amarginal strip connecting the ends of the radial members and forming theouter sides of the buckets, intermediate strips at the inner edges ofthe widened portions of the radial members and constituting the innersides of the buckets, and tiltable bottom members for the bucketslocated between the radial members, said radial members being supportednear the bucket ends by braces extending to the end of the sleeve remotefrom that carrying the radial members.

24. In an excavating machine, a rotatable circular series of bucketscomprising a central sleeve, radial members in dished relation to thecentral sleeve and each terminating in an axially widened portion, amarginal strip connecting the ends of the radial members and forming theouter sides of the buckets, intermediate strips at the inner edges ofthe widened portions of the radial members and constituting the innersides of the buckets, and tiltable bottom members for the bucketslocated between the radial.

members, said bottom members being each provided with intermediate pivotsupports and with latch members movable with the bottom members, and theinner walls of the receptacles being provided with engaging means forthe latch. members.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have heretoaflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE WASHINGTON J ORY.

Witnesses:

W. 0. W001), H. M. STRAWN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

